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94
towards the provision of surgical appliances for physically defective scholars.
Her original work amongst cases of contagious disease (especially of the skin)
and also amongst neglected and dirty scholars continues to be considerable. I
would therefore suggest that the Education Committee approach the Council
with a view of releasing Mrs. Hobbs from her public health duties, in order
that she may devote her whole time to the services of your Committee.
CENTRAL GftRE COMMITTEE.
Commencing 1st October, 1920, the Edmonton Education Committee
assumed direct control of the working arrangements for the provision of meals
to school children, and the old voluntary Canteen Committee was dissolved
after a long and honourable career of many years.
A standing sub-committee known as the Central Care Committee meet at
least once a month and consists of eight members of the Education Committee,
eight teachers, the School Medical Officers, the Superintendent of the School
Attendance Officers, and other persons interested in child welfare.
A special officer has been appointed who attends meetings of the Central
Care Committee and School Care Committees; he also supervises the
arrangements made for cooking and serving meals at the Feeding Centres and
carries out all necessary investigations.
A Committee, consisting of Head Teachers, parents and other interested
persons, has been appointed for each block of schools. These Committees,
known as the School Care Committees, in conjunction with the Special Officer
and School Attendance Officer, interview all parents applying for meals.
There are two small sub-committees of the Central Care Committee (i.e.,
the Executive Sub-Committee and the Menu Sub-Committee).
Information and advice is sometimes obtained from the Relieving Officer
for the District in regard to difficult cases of application for meals.
At present there are three Feeding Centres at convenient centres in the
town. One of these is situated at a private establishment, the other two are at
the Parish Rooms of St. Michael's and All Saints' Churches respectively.
The present arrangements make provision only for the feeding of
necessitous cases; but if a case of underfeeding were reported by the School
Medical Officers, and the income of the parent were above the scale adopted by
the Committee, the child would be fed and the cost of the meals recovered from
the parents.